MA125 Intermediate Algebra

for F1LL 2011

Mission Statement: The mission of Park University, an entrepreneurial institution of learning, is to provide access to academic excellence, which will prepare learners to think critically, communicate effectively and engage in lifelong learning while serving a global community.

Vision Statement: Park University will be a renowned international leader in providing innovative educational opportunities for learners within the global society.

Educational Philosophy:
This class will be primarily conducted in a lecture format. The students are encouraged to actively participate in class by asking questions,taking notes,and working through suggested assigned homework.

Learning Outcomes:Core Learning Outcomes

State and use basic terminology and symbols of the discipline appropriately

Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable and verify solution(s)

Manipulate and simplify exponential expressions

Perform arithmetic on and factor polynomials and solve polynomial equations

Solve “word” problems

Manipulate and simplify rational expressions

Manipulate and simplify radical expressions and translate into/ from exponential form

Class Assessment:
There will be four test during the term and they are all of equal value.

Grading:
Each test will be worth 100% and each counts as 25% of the student's grade for the course.

Late Submission of Course Materials:
Students who miss a test are expected to arrange to make up the test and it must be made up sometime during the week following the scheduled test time.

Classroom Rules of Conduct:
All students are expected to conduct themselves in a way that shows respect and consideration for their fellow students and the instructor. All students should cooperate so that the atmosphere of the classroom is conducive to learning for all students.

Course Topic/Dates/Assignments:
In Unit 1 we start the course with a review of fraction rules followed by an introduction to the properties and operations of Real Numbers. We'll also examine properties of exponents and roots and then discuss the order in which mathematical operations are to be applied as we simplify algebraic expressions.

In Unit 2 we'll begin learning techniques to solve linear equations in one variable followed by a discussion of formulas and how to solve problems using them. Next we will apply those skills to real-life situations as we develop a general plan for solving application problems and specific plans for certain types of problems.We will also learn the process of solving linear and compound inequalities and finish up the unit by learning to solve absolute value equations and inequalities.

In Unit 3 we'll be introduced to the Rectangular Coordinate System. We will learn how to graph lines of equations in two variables. We'll discuss how to determine slope and how to use it to graph lines and find equations of lines. We will also learn how to graph linear inequalities in two variables and we'll finish the unit by becoming acquainted with functions.

In Unit 4 we will discover some new properties of exponents along with the properties of polynomial expressions.We will learn how to use scientific notation as a tool for expressing very large and very small numbers. We will will examine methods for adding ,subtracting,multiplying,and dividing polynomials. We will expand our understanding of functions to include polynomial functions.

In Unit 5 we will learn how to factor polynomials. Methods to be learned include: factoring by grouping,factoring trinomials, factoring perfect squares and perfect cubes. We finish the unit by focusing on a fundamental approach to factoring and we will learn problem solving skills when the polynomial is part of an equation.

In Unit 6 we start learning about rational expressions by examining their properties. From there we will begin the task of learning how to add,subtract,multiply and divide rational expressions. We will learn two methods of simplifying complex fractions before we tackle solving equations involving rational expressions.

In Unit 7 the properties of radical expressions are initially discussed before we take on the task of learning the procedures for simplifying,including the conversion from a radical expression to a rational exponential expression. Next we'll learn how to add,subtract,multiply and divide radical expressions.This is followed by a presentation of methods we will use for solving equations containing radical expressions. We will finish the unit by focusing on manipulating the polynomial equation into a particular format in a process known as completing the square. Once that process is learned we will use it to derive a generalized formula for solving all quadratic equations.

In Unit 8 we'll start by determining how to graphically find a solution set of two intersecting equations in two variables,know as a system of linear equations followed by the procedure to solve a system algebraically. We will finish the unit and the course,with an introduction to complex numbers. We will learn the properties of these numbers and how to apply mathematical operations to them.

Academic Honesty:Academic integrity is the foundation of the academic community. Because each student has the primary responsibility for being academically honest, students are advised to read and understand all sections of this policy relating to standards of conduct and academic life. Park University students and faculty members are encouraged to take advantage of the University resources available for learning about academic honesty (www.park.edu/current or http://www.park.edu/faculty/).from Park University 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Page 93

Plagiarism:Plagiarism involves the use of quotations without quotation marks, the use of quotations without indication of the source, the use of another's idea without acknowledging the source, the submission of a paper, laboratory report, project, or class assignment (any portion of such) prepared by another person, or incorrect paraphrasing. from Park University 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Page 93

The instructor may excuse absences for valid reasons, but missed work must be made up within the semester/term of enrollment.

Work missed through unexcused absences must also be made up within the semester/term of enrollment, but unexcused absences may carry further penalties.

In the event of two consecutive weeks of unexcused absences in a semester/term of enrollment, the student will be administratively withdrawn, resulting in a grade of "F".

A "Contract for Incomplete" will not be issued to a student who has unexcused or excessive absences recorded for a course.

Students receiving Military Tuition Assistance or Veterans Administration educational benefits must not exceed three unexcused absences in the semester/term of enrollment. Excessive absences will be reported to the appropriate agency and may result in a monetary penalty to the student.

Report of a "F" grade (attendance or academic) resulting from excessive absence for those students who are receiving financial assistance from agencies not mentioned in item 5 above will be reported to the appropriate agency.

Disability Guidelines:Park University is committed to meeting the needs of all students that meet the criteria for special assistance. These guidelines are designed to supply directions to students concerning the information necessary to accomplish this goal. It is Park University's policy to comply fully with federal and state law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, regarding students with disabilities. In the case of any inconsistency between these guidelines and federal and/or state law, the provisions of the law will apply. Additional information concerning Park University's policies and procedures related to disability can be found on the Park University web page: http://www.park.edu/disability .

Additional Information:

Bibliography:

Rubric

Competency

Exceeds Expectation (3)

Meets Expectation (2)

Does Not Meet Expectation (1)

No Evidence (0)

Evaluation Outcomes1

Evaluate 4 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Evaluate 3 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Evaluate 2 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Evaluate 0 or 1 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Synthesis Outcomes1

Simplify and manipulate 4 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Simplify and manipulate 3 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Simplify and manipulate 2 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Simplify and manipulate 0 or 1 algebraic expressions

Analysis Outcomes2

Solve and check 4 out of 4 algebraic equations

Solve and check 3 out of 4 algebraic equations

Solve and check 2 out of 4 algebraic equations

Solve and check 0 or 1 out of 4 algebraic equations

Application Outcomes3

Solve 4 out of 4 practical applications

Solve 3 out of 4 practical applications

Solve 2 out of 4 practical applications

Solve 0 or 1 practical applications

Content of Communication Outcomes4

Graph 4 out of 4 linear equations or inequalities

Graph 3 out of 4 linear equations or inequalities

Graph 2 out of 4 linear equations or inequalities

Graph 0 or 1 linear equations or inequalities

Technical Skill in Communicating Outcomes4

Find 4 out of 4 slopes of lines

Find 3 out of 4 slopes of lines

Find 2 out of 4 slopes of lines

Find 0 or 1 slopes of lines

First Literacy Outcomes(Formulas) 1, 2, 3

Use and evaluate 4 out

of 4 formulas

Use and evaluate 3 out

of 4 formulas

Use and evaluate 2 out

of 4 formulas

Use and evaluate 0 or 1 out

of 4 formulas

Second Literacy Outcomes(Order of Operations) 1, 2, 3

Apply order of operations to 4 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Apply order of operations to 3 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Apply order of operations to 2 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Apply order of operations to 0 or 1 out of 4 algebraic expressions

Copyright:

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